Coup d'Etat

I found I had little new to find in this fourth re-working of WWII by Harry T. The idea that a war broke out instead of the Munich betrayal of Czechoslovakia was mildly interesting at first, but the difficulty in alternate history is firstly, finding a tipping point, and then laying out the things which then might have changed and how they would have effected the world in which we live today. If I may be allowed to speculate, is Turtledove moving us to a final realignment of the WWII Atlantic Alliance, as that is the only way he can set up yet another scenario in which the USA single-handedly saves the world from a fascist future? Considering that I write this on Jan. 6, 2021, I am wondering the opposite is true, is Turtledove revealing show more for us the undefeatable movement to fascism that is inherent in the structure of America.? Will I read the next book? Time will tell. show less

The fourth volume of Harry Turtledove’s “The War That Came Early” series opens up at the start of 1941 onto a very different conflict. Britain and France have come to terms with Nazi Germany, and have even joined them in their ongoing war with the Soviet Union. The United States faces a series of setbacks against the Japanese, with whom they are at war after a series of sudden attacks throughout the Pacific. And the civil war in Spain drags on, a forgotten precursor to the conflict now raging. As the year unfolds, however, events begin to reorient the alignments. A military coup in Britain topples the government and rejoins te struggle against the Nazis, and with the French wobbling the prospect of a two-front war rears up as an show more unwelcome prospect for the Germans. But can they defeat the Soviets before that prospect becomes a reality?

Readers who have reached this point in the series already know what they will be getting in this latest installment, and those who have enjoyed following his cast of characters will find much to satisfy them here. Moreover, Turtledove continues to provide more in the way of the action than he did in his second volume, which helps to keep things lively. Nevertheless, there is still a sense throughout this book of treading water, as much of the key events – both personal and political – seem to consist of undoing the developments of his last book. Because of this, the whole series is starting to feel bloated, as Turtledove stretches out events that could (as he has demonstrated in previous series) have covered more dramatically in fewer volumes. Diehard fans of Turtledove’s works may not mind, but for anyone seeking to follow up his earlier, better works they might find his latest alternate history series something of a disappointment. show less

Not sure why they have this classified as science fiction which I was hoping it was, but is not. Turns out the book is really, a historical ficiton wherein Churchill is murdered before the USA gets into WWII and the British and French switch sides, join with Hitler against Stalin and then switch again to fight against the Axis. Interesting supposition had the socialist democrats and communists in both countries managed to overcome the conservatives. Well, our side wins in the end thanks to the characters in the book and their trials and machinations.

I found it interesting reading, but would have like the author to spend more time on the policial aspects of his plot. Instead he provides very interesting character sketches of participants show more on both sides, virtures and failings to his credit, affirming that regardless of politics people are people with many of the same failings and attributes.

Enjoyed the book a great deal, it was different from most of my leisure reading, would recommend. show less

Pretty standard Turtledove Alternate History with multiple view points from all sides and concentrating on the ordinary person at war.